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 Playing Advice: Clawhammer and Old-Time Styles
 ARCHIVED TOPIC: Melodic playing


Please note this is an archived topic, so it is locked and unable to be replied to. You may, however, start a new topic and refer to this topic with a link: http://www.banjohangout.org/archive/73573/2

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janolov - Posted - 02/08/2007:  10:19:11

quote:
Originally posted by banjozane


The banjo was never meant to be such an instrument.


What was the banjo meant to be?

If we go back to the minstrel period (about 1840 - 1890?). I would say that minstrel banjo was melodic in some way. The surviving banjo tutors (by Briggs, Converse, Buckley etc) from that period present banjo pieces that are more melodic than rythmic or chordic. Still it wasn't "fiddle melodic" but more a try to use the banjo's unique properties for solo performance.

The melodic banjo discussed in this thread is more that the banjo plagiarizes the fiddle part ("fiddle melodic") without emphasizing the banjo's unique properties.

Janolov

banjozane - Posted - 02/15/2007:  17:05:57

The Banjo was meant to be a versatile instrument. It could be an accompaniament, or a solo instrument. The banjo's own characteristic construction and design bear witness of it's creator's intent! It's loud, bossy, and meant to be heard!

BTW

I wasn't being so snide as to try to cite the original inventor, or teach a lesson on the origins of evolutionay banjology. I was just drawin' an inference.

Bluegrass Rocks, but Old-Time Rules!

Clawdan - Posted - 02/15/2007:  17:21:02

quote:
Originally posted by banjozane

The Banjo was meant to be a versatile instrument. It could be an accompaniament, or a solo instrument. The banjo's own characteristic construction and design bear witness of it's creator's intent! It's loud, bossy, and meant to be heard!...


Versatile, yes, but not "loud ..." In it's most original US configuration, it is skin headed, gut strung, earthy and bold. The "loud and bossy" doesn't happen until the addition of tone rings, resonators, plastic heads, metal strings and metal picks. Seems that banjo has become what it was never originally - but tradition is innovation to bring it up to date.

I notice most of us in the ot crowd tend to attempt to reproduce the more mellow, thumpy and deep toned history and shun the bright, loud and "bossy". Perhaps another thread?

Play nice,
Dan "Ain't no bum-diddy" Levenson
Old Time Music and Dance
www.ClawhammerBanjo.us
Author of Clawhammer Banjo From Scratch, A guide for the claw-less - a MelBay Publication
and Old Time Festival Tunes for Clawhammer Banjo (MelBay 20313) - 117 tunes tabbed for clawhammer banjo with standard notation and suggested chords.
Tune list at http://www.folknet.org/dan/FestTunesBJBook.htm

banjozane - Posted - 02/16/2007:  01:48:56

By Brassy, I meant Character.... not sound.... as far as the volume goes.... banjos were as loud as technology allowed. When I see a picture of pre civil-war era people dancing around a banjo picker... it makes me think of an instrument that was designed to be heard..... but then again.... i'm no historian.

Bluegrass Rocks, but Old-Time Rules!

rinemb - Posted - 02/16/2007:  20:16:55

Don't you wonder how that lone minstrel banjo player sitting on a stump could even be heard by a dozen or more dance partners swingin and stompin-even if they were dancing on dirt? I once had my 110 YO Stewart/nylgut strings out where there was nearly perfect quietness...no street noise, no rustle of tree leaves, etc., none of that white noise and background noise that is always there around civilization. You would be surprised how loud the Stewart sounded. Brad

May not the incidence of success, nor the pretense of retirement-Lessen the want of enlightenment.

Dave Vinci - Posted - 02/17/2007:  11:22:03

quote:
Originally posted by rinemb

Don't you wonder how that lone minstrel banjo player sitting on a stump could even be heard by a dozen or more dance partners swingin and stompin-even if they were dancing on dirt?


Hey, been there, done that! I play a minstrel banjo with skin head and gut strings and have played for folks dancing. If folks are dancing outside on grass or dirt or whatever, it works just fine, HOWEVER, inside a barn with a wooden floor and folks with period correct footwear (wooden heels, etc) it can get purty loud with all the stompin' going on. It's still fun though!

Dave Vinci

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